Unified communications at Las Vegas' newest property includes color touch-screen VoIP phones and the latest voice over wireless LAN handsets for guests

The new US$1 billion M Resort Spa Casino in Las Vegas is uniquely designed to provide the highest level of service to every guest, utilizing a hospitality solution based on unified communications from Nortel and Microsoft Corp.  

M Resort is among the first all-IP resorts in Las Vegas. It is the first built from the ground up with products from the Nortel and Microsoft Innovative Communications Alliance provided through Nortel channel partner EMBARQ. Nortel provided on-site unified communications consulting services to help smooth network integration. Color touch-screen VoIP phones provide guests with quick and intuitive access to everything they need or desire, including spa appointments, dinner reservations, show times and tickets, the latest weather reports, toothpaste and extra pillows. Guest rooms are also equipped with the latest voice over wireless LAN handsets for additional convenience.  

"M Resort is driven by personal, hands-on service," said Joseph A. Magliarditi, chief operating officer and executive vice president, M Resort Spa Casino. "This means we listen to and anticipate every guest's needs, making sure we exceed their expectations from the time they check-in to the time they check-out. Our unified communications solution from Nortel and Microsoft will aid us in providing our guests with quick and seamless service."

Unified communications will also help M Resort enhance and streamline business and casino operations. “Click-to-call,” voice mail, instant messaging, e-mail, presence and video conferencing have been integrated into the familiar Microsoft desktop environment, promoting responsiveness and productivity by allowing virtually instant staff collaboration. This integration also simplifies staff training by reducing the number of devices they must learn to use.

"Hotels can derive significant benefits from the power of unified communications to help speed decision making, increase the tempo of operations and establish a competitive edge," said Joel Hackney, president, Enterprise Solutions, Nortel. "Operations are seamless and simplified, freeing hotel managers to spend less time worrying about IT and more time on increasing occupancy and delighting guests. And return on investment can be achieved rapidly, in some cases within six months."

"As the leading telecommunications provider in Las Vegas, we understand better than most how efficient and effective communications can help our customers in the hospitality industry deliver superior service," said Susan Sarna, vice president, marketing and product management, EMBARQ Business. "The innovative unified communications solution that EMBARQ, Nortel and Microsoft have developed for M Resort will help increase the efficiency of hotel staff and help guests have a more relaxing and enjoyable experience."

"Companies from all industries continue to see and embrace the cost-savings and efficiencies that complete unified communications solutions deliver," said Craig Schuman, director of business development and strategy for the Unified Communications Group at Microsoft. "Microsoft's software-powered platform brings disparate pieces of technology together to provide workers with better tools for increased productivity and more streamlined communications."

The all-IP unified communications solution for M Resort includes converged office capabilities using Nortel Communication Server 1000 and Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007. It also includes Nortel's Contact Center, Hospitality Messaging Server 400, Application Gateway 2000, Voice over Wireless LAN solution and IP phones .

Nortel is transforming the hospitality industry with innovative technologies and strategic services that can help enhance the guest experience, generate new revenues and improve operational efficiencies for hotels, resorts, casinos, stadiums and arenas. Nortel services more than 38,000 Las Vegas guest rooms every day.